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'Patient 5' released from hospital but linked contact remains

Published:Monday | March 30, 2020 | 12:00 AM
Chief medical officer Dr Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie

Damion Mitchell, Integration Editor

The Health Ministry is reporting that 'Patient 5' has now recovered from the coronavirus (COVID-19) and was on Sunday night discharged from hospital.

The patient, a female, was in isolation in St Ann receiving treatment.

According to information from the Health Ministry, 'Patient 5' reported an onset of symptoms on March 3 – that's seven days before the first coronavirus confirmation in Jamaica on March 10. 

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Speaking at a digital press briefing at Jamaica House on Monday evening, chief medical officer Dr Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie revealed that based on tracing, one person who came in contact with 'Patient 5' also contracted the virus.

That person is still receiving treatment.

In the meantime, at the press conference Monday, Bisasor McKenzie could not immediately provide information relating to the contact tracing for 'Patient 6'.

According to a graph released by the Health Ministry two weeks ago, 'Patient 6' began showing symptoms of the virus on March 1 – that's nine days before the confirmation of Jamaica's first COVID case, 'Patient 1'.

During a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister on March 23, The Gleaner had sought to find out what actions were taken after Patients 5 and 6 began exhibiting symptoms in early March.

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On the request of Bisasor McKenzie, the questions were submitted in writing to the Health Ministry on Thursday, March 26.

Jamaica has now recorded 36 COVID cases with one recovery and one death.

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